Checkout ShieldReference Sheet2026 EditionClaim Deadlines by Platform
Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com damage rules side by side: coverage, filing windows, required steps, and where each platform leaves you on your own.
| Airbnb | Vrbo | Booking.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damage protection | AirCover for Hosts, included free on every booking | No direct host damage protection. Guest-purchased damage cover ($59–$119 per stay), a refundable deposit, or a card on file | Facilitated damage program where available, or your own deposit policy |
| Maximum damage coverage | Up to $3M under AirCover | $1,500–$5,000 via guest-purchased cover, or the deposit amount you set | Capped around 500 in local currency per incident under the facilitated program |
| Filing deadline | 14 days from checkout OR before the next guest checks in, whichever comes first | 30-day window tied to checkout; the exact window depends on the protection product on the booking | Report promptly after checkout; the window depends on program and region, verify in the Partner Hub |
| Guest contact step | Required. Request reimbursement from the guest first, escalate to Airbnb after 24 hours | Not required. File against the reservation or deposit directly | File through the platform; the guest is notified by Booking.com |
| Evidence standard | Timestamped photos and video, itemised costs, receipts over $200, quotes for major damage | Same standard: timestamped before and after photos, itemised costs, receipts | Same standard, reviewed by the program or held against the deposit |
| Liability insurance | $1M host liability included; extends to co-hosts and cleaners | $1M liability included on qualifying bookings | None platform-provided. Your own insurance is the only layer |
| Payout reality | Well-documented claims (timestamped, filed fast) are paid in roughly 91% of cases; insufficient documentation drives about half of denials | Deposit claims are strongest filed immediately with evidence; guest-cover claims follow the insurer process | Program is optional and regional; in practice the deposit is your working layer |
| Your job on every platform | Baseline before check-in, document at checkout, file immediately | Baseline before check-in, document at checkout, file immediately | Baseline before check-in, document at checkout, file immediately |
How to use these numbers
- 1
The Airbnb window is the trap: if your next guest arrives in 3 days, your filing window is 3 days, not 14. The next check-in always wins.
- 2
Platform policies change. Before relying on a window for a live claim, verify the current terms in the platform help center (linked below).
- 3
Listing the same property on two or more platforms means running these rulebooks in parallel. The documentation routine is identical everywhere, which is why the baseline habit pays on all three.
Sources
- Airbnb Help Center (2025). Host damage protection (AirCover for Hosts).
- Hostfully (2025). Vrbo damage protection policies explained.
- Booking.com Partner Hub (2025). Damage policy options for partners.
- Avada Properties (2024). Analysis of 20,000+ Airbnb and Vrbo bookings: damage claim frequency and approval rates.
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Checkout Shield · 2026 Edition · checkout-shield.ezzon.nl/files/claim-deadlines-by-platform-sheet
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